A Teacher to Honor

Gillette News Record - November 5, 2012

Sunflower third-grade teacher wins award, much to her students' delight

Kathy Brown, Senior Reporter

Posted 11/5/12

Article Photo 1

News Record Photo/Pete Rodman

Teacher Kathy Kintz, center, is congratulated by her students after she won the Peabody Leaders in Education award on Friday at Sunflower Elementary School.

Article Photo 2 News Record Photo/Pete Rodman

Kathy Kintz, right, helps Brooke Kotila, 9, with her schoolwork during class Friday at Sunflower Elementary School. "Shes really nice, and doesn't get mad a lot," Brooke said of the 2012 Peabody Leaders in Education award winner.

Article Photo 3

News Record Photo/Pete Rodman

Student's applaud Kathy Kintz, center, for winning the 2012 Peabody Leaders in Education award during the presentation Friday at Sunflower Elementary School.

As the Sunflower Elementary School gym erupted in cheers for teacher Kathy Kintz on Friday morning, one former student gave himself a mission.

Kintz was surprised by the Peabody Energy officials who presented her with a larger-than-life-sized check for $1,000 and a basket of goodies, including fresh-cut flowers. She was the first Leader in Education chosen by the group in Campbell County this school year.

To celebrate, Sunflower Principal Troy Claycomb decided to call a surprise all-school assembly.

Kintz may have suspected what was afoot since her husband and family were also on hand, but certainly her students were stunned.

So was Morgan Halvorson, 12, a sixth-grader who had Kintz as a teacher in third grade.

But as soon as he saw that large check, he leapt into action.

As Kintz spoke to the crowd about how — if someone thought she was good enough to be nominated for such an honor, she felt an obligation to turn in the information required — Morgan threaded his way to the award officials who held the check.

After a few quiet words, they let him hold the check. And from that point on, he followed Kintz with the check in hand.

He held on even when two other boys tried to joke him into letting them hold it for a few minutes.

He held on as students mobbed Kintz with hugs.

He held on when students began to leave the gym by class, first speaking with his teacher to receive permission to carry the check for Kintz.

Then he followed the longtime Campbell County School District third-grade teacher to her Coca-Cola decorated classroom, with her students in tow.

He propped it in front of the room’s chalkboard, just as she asked, before he accepted a hug and left the room.

This was an important errand for Morgan. He saw it as a mission of honor. And in doing so, his actions showed why Kintz earned the award.

“She’s always been there for me in her class. She’s so nice,” he said, listing her way of teaching through storytelling and fairness that left such an impression on him.

“She’s always been there. She’s my favorite teacher,” he said. “She’s done so much for me. I just wanted to do something for her.”

Then he left, as quietly as he had came in, to resume his place in his class.

Kintz, who was named one of Wyoming’s top 10 teachers at the end of last school year, has a unique approach to education. She uses storytelling and interactive events to make learning come alive.

She also works with local community organizations, including the Rockpile Museum, to create fun, educational events for students. She encourages her students to be involved in the community by creating a reading program where her third-graders read to preschoolers and senior citizens.

“What I’ve seen in her classroom is that it’s an aesthetically pleasing class that has fun. She’s calm, and a great storyteller and a great reader,” Claycomb said. “She has a good demeanor, is fair and consistent.”